Tilting Motor Works CEO Bob Mighell Puts 3-Wheeled Motorcycle Conversion to the Ultimate Test at Bonneville Salt Flats
Marysville, Washington (Free Press Release) September 6, 2012 – Tilting Motor Works, Inc. announced today that its founder and CEO, Bob Mighell, broke the land speed record for 3-wheeled motorcycles by more than 10 mph at the annual Motorcycle Speed Trials held at Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah on August 26-30. Mighell rode a modified Yamaha V-Max 1197cc motorcycle equipped with a V-4 engine and a proprietary Tilting Motor Works (TMW) two-wheeled tilting front end to a new record of 132.342 mph over one mile with a flying start.
Conditions were difficult with temperatures brushing 100 degrees, variable crosswinds up to 17 mph, and a sudden thunderstorm that drowned the course under 4 inches of water and cancelled the second day of racing. The racing surface, natural bright white salt that bakes in the sun, remained damp and loose on following days.
“Anything can happen at those speeds,” said Mighell, “and every motorcyclist knows how dangerous crosswinds and rough surfaces can be. The salt was all damp and loose and pitted, so it was ideal for putting our trike solution to the test. And it couldn’t have been a more stable ride. In the end we were constrained only by the performance of the motorcycle itself.”
Mighell, a lifelong powersports enthusiast who first rode a motorcycle across the country at the age of 19 to attend the mechanical engineering program at Dartmouth, is the inventor of an aftermarket “reverse trike” conversion that replaces a motorcycle’s front forks and front wheel with two wheels in the front. The wheels are connected in a patented leaning linkage that preserves the full leaning capabilities of the original motorcycle while improving stability, traction and braking. While many motorcyclists are attracted to trikes as their aging joints and backs make it harder to manage a heavy bike, the rigid designs of existing solutions are known to compromise handling and performance. TMW begins accepting pre-orders for the trike conversion this fall.
The previous record in the “cyclecar” classification was 121.649 mph, set in 2011. “We’re already planning to bring a faster motorcycle next year,” said Mighell.
Mighell’s collaborators and sponsors in staging the record attempt include UFO Performance Products of North Royalton, Ohio; Smokey Point Cycle Barn of Marysville, Washington; and Aurora Bearing Company of Aurora, Illinois.
The Motorcycle Speed Trials are operated by BUB Racing, Inc. of Grass Valley, California and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme based in Mies, France and its U.S. affiliate the American Motorcyclist Association. Upon ratification, official records will be posted at https://www.fim-live.com/en/sport/world-records-attempts/events/.
About Tilting Motor Works (https://tiltingmotorworks.com)
Tilting Motor Works offers a patented leaning trike conversion kit for motorcycles that improves stability, traction and braking while preserving the handling of the bike. A TMW retrofit can improve the confidence and security of new riders and people of smaller stature without compromising the essential experience and freedom of a 2-wheeler. It can also help veteran cyclists extend their riding careers.
About the FIM (https://www.fim-moto.com/en/)
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), founded in 1904, is the governing body for motorcycle sport and a global advocate for motorcycling. The FIM is an independent association formed by 107 National Federations throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in motorcycle sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Its 50 World Championships include MotoGP, Superbike, Endurance, Motocross, Supercross, Trial, Enduro, Cross-Country Rally and Speedway events. The FIM is also active in public affairs, road safety, touring, and protection of the environment.
UFO Performance Products: https://planetvmax.com
Smokey Point Cycle Barn: https://www.smokeypointcyclebarn.com/
Aurora Bearing: https://aurorabearing.com
For further information or to arrange an interview with Bob Mighell, please call Tilting Motor Works at 360//302//3008 or send email news@tiltingmotorworks.com.
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